2020 BIODIVERSITY GOALS & TARGETS FOR CANADA

GOAL A

BY 2020, CANADA’S LANDS AND WATERS ARE PLANNED AND MANAGED USING AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO SUPPORT BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION OUTCOMES AT LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SCALES.

Target 1

By 2020, at least 17 percent of terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.

Target 2

By 2020, species that are secure remain secure, and population of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans.

Target 3

By 2020, Canada’s wetlands are conserved or enhanced to sustain their ecosystem services through retention, restoration and management activities.

Target 4

By 2020, biodiversity considerations are integrated into municipal planning and activities of major municipalities across Canada.

Target 5

By 2020, the ability of Canadian ecological systems to adapt to climate change is better understood, and priority adaptation measures are underway.

Preamble

In order to achieve their long-term biodiversity outcomes, federal, provincial and territorial governments developed the following set of new medium-term goals and targets. These aspirational goals and targets describe results to be achieved through the collective efforts of a diversity of players both public and private whose actions and decisions have an impact on biodiversity. Governments need to do their part but cannot act alone.

Implementation of the goals and targets will rely on meaningful, full and effective participation of Aboriginal peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. In this respect, while Aboriginal traditional knowledge and customary use of biological resources are specifically highlighted under targets 12 and 15, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of Aboriginal communities are relevant for implementing all of Canada’s biodiversity goals and targets, as is protecting and encouraging customary use of biological resources compatible with their conservation and sustainable use.

Local communities, urban and regional governments, business and industry, conservation and stewardship groups, educational and scientific institutions and citizens are also all able to contribute. Canadians are invited to commit to doing their part and to share the results of their efforts.

GOAL B

BY 2020, DIRECT AND INDIRECT PRESSURES AS WELL AS CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ON BIODIVERSITY ARE REDUCED, AND PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CANADA’S BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ARE MORE SUSTAINABLE.

Target 6

By 2020, continued progress is made on the sustainable management of Canada’s forests.

Target 7

By 2020, agricultural working landscapes provide a stable or improved level of biodiversity and habitat capacity.

Target 8

By 2020, all aquaculture in Canada is managed under a science-based regime that promotes the sustainable use of aquatic resources (including marine, freshwater and land based) in ways that conserve biodiversity.

Target 9

By 2020, all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably, legally and applying ecosystem-based approaches.

Target 10

By 2020, pollution levels in Canadian waters, including pollution from excess nutrients, arereduced or maintained at levels that support healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Target 11

By 2020, pathways of invasive alien species introductions are identified, and risk-based interventionor management plans are in place for priority pathways and species.

Target 12

By 2020, customary use by Aboriginal peoples of biological resources is maintained, compatible with their conservation and sustainable use.

Target 13

By 2020, innovative mechanisms for fostering the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied.

GOAL C

BY 2020, CANADIANS HAVE ADEQUATE AND RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING.

Target 14

By 2020, the science base for biodiversity is enhanced and knowledge of biodiversity is better integrated and more accessible.

Target 15

By 2020, Aboriginal traditional knowledge is respected, promoted and, where made available by Aboriginal peoples, regularly, meaningfully and effectively informing biodiversity conservation and management decision-making.

Target 16

By 2020, Canada has a comprehensive inventory of protected spaces that includes private conservation areas.

Target 17

By 2020, measures of natural capital related to biodiversity and ecosystem services are developed on a national scale, and progress is made in integrating them into Canada’s national statistical system.

GOAL D

BY 2020, CANADIANS ARE INFORMED ABOUT THE VALUE OF NATURE AND MORE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN ITS STEWARDSHIP.

Target 18

By 2020, biodiversity is integrated into the elementary and secondary school curricula.

Target 19

By 2020, more Canadians get out into nature and participate in biodiversity conservation activities.

Cat. No.: CW66-524/2016E-PDF ISBN: 978-0-660-04248-0

For information regarding reproduction rights, please contact Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Public Inquiries Centre at 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only) or 819-997-2800 or email to ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca.

Photos: © Thinkstock (pages 1 and 4) © Tyler Lillico (page 2)

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 2016

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